Plunket: keep kiwi kids safe this winter

With the cold weather now here across the
country, Plunket are reminding families to be alert to the
dangers from heaters, fireplaces and other sources of winter
warmth.

Sue Campbell, Plunket’s National Child Safety
Advisor says keeping babies and young children warm and safe
is a priority for families.

“Burns from heaters and
fires are a real danger for children. A fireguard around
your fire or heater, which is attached to the wall so it
can’t fall or be moved, will help protect children from
burns”, she says.

“We advise parents and caregivers to
learn and remember the ‘heater-metre rule’. It’s
about keeping any people and materials that can burn,
including bedding, curtains, clothes and furniture, at least
one metre from all types of heaters, cookers and
fires.

She says there are some other things that can
be done to keep children safe during the cold winter
months.

“When cooking, use the back elements of the
stove whenever possible and turn pot handles away from the
stove front.

“Matches, lighters and candles are also
high risk items. We recommend using child-resistant lighters
and safety matchbox holders and storing them up high. Teach
your children to go to an adult immediately if they find
matches and never let children play with candles or be
unsupervised in a room with a lit candle.

“Winter is
also the perfect time for hot soups and drinks to keep us
warm. Holding a young child on your knee as you have a hot
drink should be avoided. A cup of hot liquid poured over a
young child covers the same area as a bucket of hot liquid
poured over an adult.

“Consider using tablemats rather
than a tablecloth, children can pull on them and spill hot
drinks over them.

“We encourage families to take care
this winter and be alert to the dangers for young children
within the
home”.

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